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Dear Comrades in the struggle!
I bring you fraternal greetings from the rich common heritage which has continued to bond us together as one, despite our diverging identities and political affiliations.
Today, we have evolved to become friends and foes but this plural identities can not thwart the drill and collective destinies we all share as a race; Black Africans classified as a developing nation, seeking for the best form of leadership at all times.
In a sane political clime, youths are the driving force behind communal developments but on this part of the globe the reverse is the case. A study of nationalism in Africa reveals that the agitation for independence was a course, ably championed by youths who lived in a century which featured servitude yet they were able to crest their names on the sands of time because they came, saw and conquered. They were able to liberate this continent (Africa) from the vestiges of imperialism but today, many youths who are enjoying the benefits of these nationalists have abused (and are still abusing) the honor and privilege bequeathed on them by our heroes past.
Back to the frontiers of Nigeria, youths who once chanted the nursery rhymes, anticipating to be “leaders of tomorrow” are now sycophants of today without shame, remorse or ponder.
Kogi state is the subject of this discourse because it is no longer news that the incumbent governor of the state is youthful in looks but archaic in deeds and actions even though he is praised in the circle of hired praise singers as a Digital Governor steering a ‘New Direction’ government; a government that is obviously in comatose.
In the words of Mr Peter Obi, “unfortunately, the youngest Governor in Nigeria today is an unmitigated failure”. I can not agree less, I subscribe to the school of thoughts and ratings of Mr Peter Obi because my personal evaluation centered on the leadership and idiosyncratic style of Governor Yahaya Bello is not far this assertion.
Recently, I sought to change the trending negative narratives concerning our beloved state of origin and a league of myopic sighted scalawag, staged a mismanaged counter against my intents. So many persons who lack self esteem and integrity goofed by embracing the shaming corner of backbiting at ease, telling the gullible minded comrades that I have pitched tents in Bello’s camp.
What is my offence?
Just because I advised the misinformed social media cyber rats to have a rethink and change the negative narratives.
Today, 70% of youths from Kogi extraction are self ordained comrades fighting for the benefits of their pockets without thoughts of bettering the deplorable situations of their individual communities yet they are quick to lash another youth occupying Lugard House as a failure.
Dear Comrades in the struggle!
It is time for sober reflections.
“Aluta” is not defined when you pick up your phones to attack the present leadership of Kogi state when you are guilty of almost same crime. Take it or leave it, it is a pity that Yahaya Bello has failed in governance but it equally very annoying that he is surrounded by many youths; 98% of his appointees are youths with a pitiable welfare package. I learnt many of them are feeding from hand to mouth but how many of them can summon the rare courage to resign from the lion’s den?
Brethren!
Do not allow the fear of hunger define your affiliation. Always strive to do the needful. You are afraid of resigning because of hunger yet you are still hungry. It is a curse to be a slave in the 21st century. Take a bold step; take a bow and leave. You won’t die, it is not a blood covenant, it is a mere appointment. Until you begin to permit fate to take the lead in your limited life span on earth you will continue to serve as stooges to failures occupying the seat of power!
Dear Kogites!
We must change the narratives. The present storyline is not favourable yet our youths are selling the state in bad lights to the public amidst numerous aberrations in the time past. No doubts, the failed administration of Yahaya Bello has created a stigma for us as Kogites but it is time for us to help repair the already battered image instead of criticizing at ease without any positive input or impacts.
Let’s come together to shop for the replacement of Yahaya Bello instead of fighting him for his flaws on daily basis, by so doing dishing out the sour soup of our extraction to the whole world thereby building their negative perceptions; even to citizens and foreigners who can contest the status of celebrated failures with our governor. In the past days, I nursed some introspective reflections birthing a remould of my nearly stereotyped mindset thus believing that Kogi state may not be rated as the worst state in Nigeria but from our narratives as Kogites, we have sacrificed our state as a toy of cheap patronage in an amusement park. This status is no longer funny because if we do not halt this evil malpractice, we shall be nailed someday as a result of our avoidable recklessness perhaps activated by genuine tendencies.
The most edifying task for all Kogites especially the youths at this critical moment of our existence should be how to unite positive forces to oust the unrepentant failure out of power instead of the routine craves to mount the social media space in a lame pursuits of casting cheap aspersions on the governor and his subjects while we have a task ahead. When a child is addicted to the strokes of cane, they won’t turn a new leaf. It becomes a normal routine.
Let’s allow Yahaya Bello and his team finish their tenure but if we allow them return to power come November 2019 we should all be seen as failures. If after the whole hullabaloo we fail to do the needful before and during the polls, we should be ready to face the music.
Brethren!
It is time to tell one ourselves the truth. Kogi state is presently in an emergency ward under the supervision of a quack doctor and the experience garnered nurses who are on duty are only called to serve, they cannot act beyond the dictates of the quack doctor. This is the present dilemma in Kogi state! What do we do? Do we allow our state to suffocate in the hands of an inexperienced political apprentice? No!
It is time to change the narratives. Kogi state must be great again, however for this dream to become a reality, we must permit a revolution of the mindset. We must trash sentiments, embrace peace and be ready to tell our leaders the truth by learning how to shun the cunning short term benefits they are willing to offer at the initial time.
In this struggle for the actualisation of good governance, nobody should be scared of paying the ultimate price for it is better to die a hero than to reach our final destinations as cowards!
So many civil servants have paid the price due to untold hardship. Permit me to share a bad testimony:
On the 14th of September 2018, I lost my beloved uncle who sacrificed 35 years of his life working as a teacher in Kogi state yet he was not receiving his pension after retirement. Same month, within a space of two weeks, on the 30th of September, I lost a cousin who was working as a lecturer with the State Polytechnic in Lokoja. For more than a year my deceased cousin (Late Mr Nathaniel Natala Yakubu) was denied his salary. I have witnessed and suffered the leadership flaws in Kogi state and keeping mute may not be easy but a popular parlance in my local dialect absolutely dictates that “the hands and legs of a snake should be hidden underneath”.
We must wake up from our slumber by speaking with one voice, echoing a stentorian effect in our seek for good governance while sourcing for Yahaya Bello’s replacement which must emerge like sunrise in no distant time.
We must keep the fire burning with a pragmatic resolve and firm belief that this is just a phase; this too shall pass away.
God bless Kogi state!
I remain your brother from another mother.
– Ajogwu Jerry Ochada
Convener, Kogi Youth Advocates of Good Governance
+2348069643658
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